Pormpuraaw

Visitors come from all over Australia to enjoy the excellent fishing at Pormpuraaw, on the west coast of Queensland. Situated between two rivers, Pormpuraaw features terrific estuary fishing for barramundi, threadfin salmon, grunter, bream, and others. The nearby reefs also offer great fishing.

Two groups of Aboriginal people live in Pormpuraaw: the Thaayorre people who are traditionally from Pormpuraaw, and the Mungkan people who are traditionally from the North. Many traditional arts and crafts are still practiced here, such as the weaving of dilly bags, dot painting, spear making and canoe carving. The Cultural centre houses many of these artefacts.

Pormpuraaw has one of the oldest crocodile farms in Australia. Set up in the 1970s when crocodiles were becoming endangered, the Edward River Croc Farm has been responsible for repopulating the local rivers - so there is no swimming in saltwater and some precautions must be taken.

There's good news for birdwatchers: around 170 species of bird inhabit the sea, savannah and wetlands around Pormpuraaw. The bird population changes dramatically with the seasons as migratory birds come and go. Some locals are the crimson finch, star finch, brolga, sea eagle, hawk, and jabiru.

You do not require a permit to visit Pormpuraaw, but you are required to check in at the Council Offices on arrival. As Pormpuraaw is an Aboriginal community the customs of the traditional owners must be adhered to at all times.

AMPs vary from community to community. They include alcohol restrictions, home brew bans and dry place declarations which operate within a defined boundary, known as a 'restricted area'. These strategies set the quantity and type of alcohol you may possess in the restricted area.

Penalties apply for possessing or attempting to bring illegal alcohol into a restricted area.

To find out more about AMPs for each community, visit the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs web site.

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Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).